Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-09-17
AN Artificial AarynS.

One Of the most remarkable operations IN
the history of surgery is now being per-
formed at the New Yorl, Hospital By DIR.
Bull, one of Americas most noted surgeons:
He has removed q mans iarynX ana vocal
organs, and is new pnrfectng . machine
whereby the patient will bs ab.e 10 ar;lcu-
late in loud tone
About six months ago Mr. Wln. Wilson,
an engineer of Newburg, n. y, who is un.
derroing this painful but heroic operation,
experienced q difficulty in 5resthirg. Re
thought AZ first that it vas some throat at.
lection caused by cold, but the trouble ia
creased at such rate that he felt il eXpe
dent to come to New York aad consult DR..
Bull 1t is fortunate that he did. for had be
delayed TWO days he would have been
dead man. As it was. ne was in danger OF
sutlocaton.
DR.. Bull thought that Mr.. Wilson was
suffering from a papiilGry growth IN the
larynx, the same disease that the Crown
Prince of Germany was under treatment in
England for The operation Of traoheoto-
my was performed by cutting an orihce 10
his wndpipe and passing & silver tube
into the lungs, thus allowing the man 10
breathe through this medinp. When 1t was
necessary TO feed him, this opening was
plugged up yith . rubber cork. The larynx
was also opened st this time, scraped out
and cauterZed
Mr.. Wilson went home in apparently good
health and experiencing no difficulty With
his new breat hing machinery. He did not
enjoy his freedom from pain very long, now
ever, for he returned in three weeks with
his throat in q worse condition than at first
The wound was opened and piece OF the
H.. Il
scope. 1t was learned that Mr.. Wilson was
suffering from cancer Of the larynx. Dr..
Bull then decided to remove the whole
larynx and with the assistance Of DR.. Weir
FIVE weeks ago performed most successful
operation. Mr.. Wilson. who is man 62
years of age, stood the ordeal brsvely but it
was decided to put him under the influence
of ether The surgeons cut an incision down
the median line OF the neck perpendicular
" over what is known as Adams apple.
The wound being wei! sponged. the delicate
task of removing two inches of the mans
larynX WAS then undertaking. 1t was cut
off just above the trachea and below the
epig!ottis, and the piece removed. it re-
semblCs in alcohol piece of macaroni half
as large rs mans thumb and about rs long.
The wound was packed with an antiseptic
dressing that stopped the flow OF blood and
tended to heal the cut. Food was then ad-
ministered 10 him by means Of o hard rub
ber tube passing into his mouth, through
the Gsophagus and into the stomach. Two
weeks ago tube was attached to the tra
cheal tube oD the inside of the oritice 10 his
throat. This tube passed upward into The
back part of the mouth, partly filling the
cavity that was formerly occupied by The
larynx.
After this tube was put into his mouth
Mr.. Wilson could talk with his tongue and
lips, but his articulation was very iaiot.
Then after this tube was inserted it was
necessary to put g plug in the upper
end of the tube Whenever he wished
to eat, for without q plug his food, Instead
of following the natural channel 10 the
stomach, would lodge IN ;he tube. DIR. Bull
thereupon inserted rubber ball that
closely fitted the oriiiGe. This accomplish
ed the desired resut IL ,hat direction.
Then the plug was withdrawn from the
other, or tracheal tube, thereby allowing the
man to breathe aud eat at the same time.
Having performed these astonishing oper-
ations so successfully, Dr.. Bull Thought he
would 60 further and provide the man with
talking apparatus, seeing that re had cut
away all Of his vocal organs He is &C
COIupliSuluS HIS pu' t'O~S 1ii "a "OhhSiiu'IS
clever manner, iuasmuch es he has made
n hollow plug to fit the tube that runs
into the mouth. In this hollow plug
reed identical to the little tongue
of metal that vibrates in hSrmonica is
placed and fastened with great care 10 such
a manner that il will vibrate and cause
distinct tone when the outer orifice is closed
and the air drawn into the mouth, through
the two jointed tubes into the lungs and
from the lungs expelled in the same manner.
The doctor is experiencing some trouble
in fitting this reed, bat thinks that in y
weeks time Mr.. Wilson can talk rs well as
he over could. though his tone will be
changed, that of course taking the tone and
pitch of the reed.
Mr.. Wilson will not have to learn to talk
again, but doubtless will surprise himself
when his new voice gets into good working
order. New reeds can be put in at any
time that fHr. Wilson's voice fails him, but
one reed properly taken care OF should last
him the remainder of his natural life. He
has stood his suffering we'll and when he re-
turns home in s few days he will be enabled
to attend TO his business, though it Is
thought that his friends won't recognize his
voice over the telephone. For delioacy Of
operation aud tho remarkable results Ut
tanned this operation has never been equal
ed.-NeW York SIN.
s---5.--